Cllr Lucy Stephenson Conservative new Leader of Rutland County Council as Oliver Hemsley resigns leadership, he did not attend this evenings meeting, a statement was read by the chairman. Oliver will remain a Independent Councillor.
.JPG)
The New 'Rainbow Cabinet' at Rutland County Council, that is how it was described.
Lucy Stephenson appointed the following members from the council
Marc Oxley (Independent and Green Group)
Rosemary Powell (Independent and Green Group)
Karen Payne (Conservative)
David Wilby (Conservative)
Sadly the LibDem leader refused her invite to join the cabinet. Certainly a missed opportunity.
I wanted to hit my head on the wall, I am sorry it really is time for Gale Waller to retire. First she moans about things being decided behind closed doors outside of meetings. Then refuses the cabinet role because no one has told her who will get what portfolio before the cabinet members were agreed. Gale was the main reason I left the Libdems. If she was replaced as leader of the group, I would be happy to renew my membership of the party.
At some points this evening the meeting was worse than a Oakham Town Council meeting. Farcical is a good description.
It was mentioned that the council need to get on with its job with only ten months before the next full election. The failure of the council to work properly for Rutland over the last three years was mentioned. I would say it has failed Rutland for a lot longer than three years. After watching tonight's meeting I can see a handful of people who said they want to move on, I think it will be difficult to repair the damage over the next ten month the divisions were still very visible. This council is an embarrassment. Despite my past history with Rutland County Councils past Rotten Membership I have always looked to Rutland County Council of how a council meeting should be conducted well, now its no better than sitting in at the average parish council meeting.
